Community Cohesion

 

Charlton School has a growing reputation as a community school and actively seeks to build partnerships where mutual benefit can clearly be illustrated. This is evident on a number of levels.

Within the school, there is a strong culture of inclusion and a commitment to equity and excellence. All students have a personalised learning programme with regular reviews. Looked-after Children are well cared for and social work liaison or counselling is available. Student voice is a growing strength within the school, and is underpinned by regular questionnaires being completed by both students and parents/carers. All user groups are given equal access and consideration, which is reflected in the school increasingly being viewed as a community resource.

Through its curriculum, the school is developing strategies aim to reduce barriers to teaching and learning. The curriculum also encourages students to embrace and celebrate heritage, diversity and change, whilst ensuring that a commonality of purpose is engendered in all activities. This approach is reflected in Charlton School being awarded the Sportsmark, Artsmark Gold, the ICT Mark, Healthy Schools status, being the hub school for the North Greenwich Sports partnership and being acknowledged by the London Borough of Greenwich as fulfilling the Extended Schools core offer.

Since the arrival of a new Acting Deputy Head Teacher in April, to develop a strategic approach to meeting its duty to promote community cohesion, Charlton School has undertaken audits in the areas of Teaching and Learning, Equity and Excellence and Community Engagement and Extended Services, has begun discussion with an Institute of Community Cohesion consultant. We believe that this approach will enable the school have a greater impact in this area and maintain an awareness of current issues and good practice. Discussion is also underway with London Citizens, The Children’s Society and Action for English so as to look at mechanisms of addressing local issues.